Yamaha’s RX-V473 hails from the entry-level section of the company’s AV receiver range, sandwiched between the RX-V373 and RX-V573. Despite its status as an affordable model, the feature list looks healthy for the money, boasting network streaming support and full compatibility with Apple products (including AirPlay for the first time on a Yamaha receiver). More discerning cinephiles might like to explore two premium models further up the range, the RX-V673 and V773, but if you’re after a nice balance of features and affordability then the five-channel RX-V473 already looks like a good bet.Design-wise it’s vintage Yamaha, clad from head to toe in a seriously sleek black finish. A large display panel shines important info into the room in clear lettering, including the currently selected input and the volume level. Fans of clean minimalist AV kit might bemoan the lack of a flap to cover up the front panel clutter, although there’s a bit of geeky pleasure to be had in all the buttons, dials and sockets peppering the fascia – a reminder that it’s the busy hub of your home cinema system.

The buttons on the front let you control the built in radio tuners, bass/treble and input selection, while four Scene buttons act like macros, powering up the unit than selecting the relevant input and DSP mode. Front sockets include 3.5mm minijack and composite video inputs, headphone output and a socket for the supplied setup microphone (more on that later).The rear panel is nicely stocked with sockets, including four HDMI inputs with support for 3D, ARC and even 4K2K passthrough when such devices come to market. Also useful is that you can switch between sources connected to the HDMI ports while in standby.

They’re joined by two sets of component video inputs and one output; four composite video inputs and two outputs; three digital audio inputs (two optical, two coaxial); three analogue stereo inputs and one output; a subwoofer pre-out; an Ethernet port for the on-board network functionality and aerial inputs for the FM and AM radio tuners. That’s a generous selection that should keep you connected for years to come.